R500m drugs seized in KZN

2009-09-14 17:57

Pretoria - The Hawks have arrested three people linked to an international drug syndicate and seized drugs in Durban worth R500m, a spokesperson for the unit said on Monday.

The alleged syndicate was operating in Durban and police believed the drugs were destined for the British Isles, spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) Musa Zondi said in a statement.

"Police worked throughout the weekend tracing the suspects after receiving information from our British counterparts and were richly rewarded."

Company owner arrested

Zondi said the first suspect police arrested was the owner of a company operating in the area.

They also confiscated 2kg of hashish hidden in the casings of car and truck batteries.

On Sunday they arrested another suspect linked to a different company.

After questioning, the pair led the police to a warehouse in Phoenix where 800 tons of drugs with an estimated street value of R500m was found.

"International co-operation is crucial in the fight against drugs and drug trafficking. Clearly in this case the value of the information that we received from our British counterparts enabled us to move quickly and decisively," said Hawks head Anwa Dramat.

"Our police have been working on cracking this and other syndicates and the hard work of our members is paying off. We are expecting more arrests."

Linked to London arrests

Police also raided a house in La Lucia where equipment to package drugs and 5kg of drugs were found.

One person was arrested at the house shortly before he was about to flee the country. Two grams of cocaine were found in his possession.

The arrests in South Africa come in the wake of arrests in London last week of people linked to the same syndicate.

London police seized 165kg of heroin concealed in curios at Heathrow Airport which had been on a flight from South Africa. More drugs were confiscated at a warehouse in the UK.
 

- SAPA